Chicago Bears wide receiver Javon Wims was ejected from Sunday's game and is facing a possible suspension for punching New Orleans Saints cornerback Chauncey Gardner-Johnson at the end of the third quarter.
Javon Wims punches a helmet twice pic.twitter.com/hESxWegifm
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) November 1, 2020
While other disqualifications this year have not resulted in suspensions, the difference is those actions occurred in the course of normal play. This from Javon Wims did not. Possible suspension coming. https://t.co/VFdwxLleAi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 2, 2020
After Wims broke off a route and threw a sucker punch at Gardner-Johnson, then hit the corner in the facemask. New Orleans CB Janoris Jenkins took Wims to the ground and a brawl ensued before members could break it up.
In addition to the impending discipline, Wims also faced a roasting on Twitter for his questionable decision-making. New Orleans Pelicans' Josh Hart and others expressed what I'm sure many football fans think whenever something like this happens:
I never understood why football players punch a helmet. Might be the dumbest thing ever
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) November 1, 2020
Why do you punch someone with a helmet lol. He ate that hit unbothered https://t.co/xXQNuxuS4d
— Master (@MasterTes) November 1, 2020
you shouldn’t be able to wear a helmet if someone is trying to punch you. that’s cheating https://t.co/nJdStw2H8U
— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) November 1, 2020
1. If you throw a punch in a football game you’re soft as toilet tissue
2. Punching someone in the helmet is so stupid
3. #22 for the Saints might be my new favorite player for his reaction. He was just like, “bro, what is he doing?” as he looked at the ref 😂 https://t.co/tQT9pizjmj
— Coach V. (@CoachV_GC) November 1, 2020
As for why Javon Wims decided to punch Gardner-Johnson in the helmet? As some careful observers (including Joe Buck and Troy Aikman) pointed out, Wims was retaliating for the cornerback's actions earlier in the third quarter, when Gardner-Johnson yanked Wims' mouthpiece off the receiver's helmet and tossed it on the ground.
Wims was subbed out on the next play — which took place over the mouthpiece due to a delay of game penalty — leading to a Bears punt on the next play. About ten minutes later, when Wims was back on the field, he unsuccessfully tried to give Gardner-Johnson's mouthpiece the same treatment before resorting to just punching him, inciting a skirmish and ejection.
Bears QB Nick Foles threw an interception on the first play after the brawl, and the Saints went on to defeat the Bears at Soldier Field in overtime, 26-23. Chicago dropped to 5-3 after the loss.
The third-year wideout has five receptions for 35 yards on the season.